The Walter surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

(origin: Sax.) Waldher, from Wald, a wood, and heer, a master--the master or lord of the wood, like the Latin, Sylvanus, or Sylvester.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

WALTER. A personal name of Teutonic origin, but not introduced here until the Conquest. Walterus is coumion among the Domesday tenants. It has become the parent of several surnames, particularly Walters, Waterson, FitzWalter, Watt, Watts, Watson, Watkins, Watkinson, Watcock.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.